Former Nigerian goalkeeper Idah Peterside has said that Nigerian footballer Victor Osimhen should be banned from the national team if he fails to apologise to embattled coach Finidi George for his outburst on social media on Friday.
In a viral video on X (formerly Twitter), Peterside criticized Osimhen’s behaviour, deeming it disrespectful and unacceptable.
“I think action should be taken, or he should be banned from playing for the national team. If we allow this kind of thing to continue, it would not augur well for Nigeria. The men who have served and given everything to our great country. So sanity must be brought to our football. He (Osimhen) needs to come outside and apologize for the things he said to Finidi”, Peterside said on social media.
“Finidi George is a legend, You don’t just widen your mouth and say things that are unpalatable. If you have issues with the man, pick up your phone and call him. That’s what responsible people do. Osimhen has just shown a bit of irresponsibility, and that’s unexpected. I think the NFF should call Osimhen and ask him to apologize. He has to apologize for saying things.
“Our national team is sacred; days when we wore the jersey, we respected it, and the people that went before us. He’s not the first, and neither would he be the last. He should come out openly and apologize openly to former footballers, NFF, Finidi, and Nigerians”.
The controversy began after Finidi expressed frustration over the lack of support from the NFF during a meeting with Sports Minister John Enoh in Abuja. Finidi alleged that certain players, supported by influential individuals, were untouchable and undisciplined and it was rumoured that he specifically called Osimhen out.
In response, Osimhen took to Instagram Live to express his anger and disappointment, declaring that he has lost respect for Finidi, asserting that respect should be mutual, and vowed to share evidence of their conversation to clarify the situation.
